Coyotes

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn Home lifeLeave a comment

Our cats are inside/outside cats. Milo was a stray that we took in. Monkey was from a litter from a cat we rescued after the flood in Baton Rouge, Queso is my daughter’s cat that we are keeping for a while and Tommy is the cat that we have had for 11 years that we got off craigslist when we lived in Corpus Christi. Well, Saturday morning when I went to let the cats in, Tommy was not there.

Tommy and Monkey will stay outside maybe 4 nights a week. Tommy and Milo are best friends and Tommy hated coming in when Milo was outside, so that is why he was outside Friday night. Gavin was over and the kids were up until the wee hours of the morning and didn’t hear any type of ruckus outside. He was just gone. No trace whatsoever.

I put it out on 2 Facebook lost pet groups in my city. I put it on Nextdoor. I found the older gentleman that is always walking the neighborhood and asked if he had seen Tommy. He hadn’t. I asked our mailman. He also hadn’t but said he would keep an eye out for him. We looked EVERYWHERE for him. No trace.

The next morning I went out to let the hens out of the coop and noticed a pile of feathers on our side and our neighbors side of the fence. We have reinforced the fence, but apparently that didn’t stop what I know believe was a coyote. We know there is a den off of the trail where I walk and that they will come out of the park that is adjacent to the trail. To say we are all devastated is an understatement.

Tommy was the sweetest cat ever. He lost his leg 5 years ago when he got it caught in a louvered closet door (at least that is what we think happened since we were all asleep). During the flood when we were stuck on our roof, he fell off the roof and Donny had to wade through 4 feet of water to rescue him. He never hissed, never tried to fight other cats. He loved our dogs. His favorite thing was to climb up in my lap and be held like a baby. I will miss him so much. He was just a kind old soul. I hope he found Bailey in Heaven and they are playing chase.

Through all of the sadness, yesterday morning when I let the cats out Milo was chasing something and came around with a baby bird in his mouth. I chased him trying to get it, but I couldn’t. I went back inside for a few minutes and when I came back out Queso and Milo were both just sitting there staring at the baby bird. I scooped the baby up and put it in a box, covered by a dishtowel, on my bed. I thought for sure it was not going to make it because it did not move a muscle when the cats surrounding it.

I gave the poor creature a few hours to rest and then I went into our bedroom to pick it up and take it outside. That dang bird flew out of the box as soon as i lifted the dish towel. He flew up to my curtain rod, then onto the ceiling fan, then onto my closet door all the while I’m trying to catch it. He then flew behind our chest of drawers that has our TV on top. That thing is so heavy, because it’s an antique, so I had to lift the TV off and take out drawers to be able to move it enough to get my are back there.

He flew out before I could catch him and flew into Hannah’s room where I was finally able to catch him and take him outside. As soon as I opened my hand he just flew off into the great blue yonder. I now know he wasn’t hurt because Milo just wanted to play with him and not consume him. I got my exercise that day for sure.

Big Lots + Progress

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn Home lifeLeave a comment

Day before yesterday I went to Big Lots because I needed to get some more yeast. I used to just get it at the grocery store until I found that Big Lots carried it in a much bigger bag for much cheaper. I was getting the 4 oz jars for almost $8. The bag is $5.50 and 8 oz. I bake a lot so I always like having yeast on hand.

Last week when I was there I found a shower curtain on the clearance aisle. We were needing a new one since our other one was 8 years old. I still love our old one, but it’s nice to have one to switch out when I need to. Anyway, this one is thick 100% cotton and was only $8.97. I didn’t really have any bath mats that matched and ours were wearing out anyway so yesterday I found this white pair for $12.99. That’s a pretty good deal since I checked at Walmart and the cheapest, for one, was $12.97 and they weren’t made as well as the ones at Big Lots.

I was also needing only two of the color changing remote controlled LED lights. Just two by themselves is hard to find. Once again Big Lots came through. These are really bright and were only $7.99. After I used them for Halloween they are going into my glass fishes.

Here’s Frankie in the daylight with one of Jackson’s lights in him.

Today when I hiked on the trail I am very proud to announce that there was only ONE piece of trash and it was just a napkin. That is HUGE progress from when I started. It was also such a glorious day. I had never noticed all of the morning glories on the bank of the creek until today.

This tree had fallen onto the path to where you had to duck to go under it last time I was here.

Someone found a forked log and propped it up so we don’t have to duck anymore.

I also found this turtle shell. It was just laying under a tree.

I actually saw 5 people on the trail today which is more than I’ve ever seen in one day. I’m glad more people are going outside to enjoy this beautiful weather.

Home Sweet Home

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn Home lifeLeave a comment

Tonight, in Texas, is National Night Out. We didn’t have any parties planned on our street, but that’s ok because we have such great neighbors and we all know each other. We all look out for each other and I know that if I needed anything I could call on them for help.

Our neighbor across the street works for a restaurant food distribution company. A week ago he brought over pizza dough and pizza sausage. Today he brought over these potato wedges. We had them with meatball subs and they were so good.

The neighbor next door to him brings in everyone’s trash can on trash day. She also takes care of our cats when we have to go out of town. She and I are the feeders of the strays. I hope everyone gets out and meets their neighbors. It’s so important to have a good support system where you live. Especially if you’re like us and don’t have family near.

Hannah and I took a walk on the trail. When I first started walking and picking up the trash I could fill a whole trash bag. This time I only filled a grocery bag.

We found some mushrooms, but I don’t know what kind they are.

The light coming through the trees was so pretty.

And one of my favorite time of day is dusk because of the cotton candy skies.

I’d also like to ask anyone who reads here to please pray for everyone affected by Hurricane Helene. I have been through a horrible flood, but it was NOTHING compared to what North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia are experiencing. My heart breaks for these people many who have lost everything. Everything. Also please pray for those who are searching for missing people and are trying to get supplies in.

Because I cannot leave this on a sad note and because it is October 1st here is my Frankie.

Night Lights

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn Home lifeLeave a comment

The weather was absolutely perfect today. I got the yard mowed, the flower bed weeded and the Halloween decorations out of the shed. Our patio can tend to get junky if we’re not careful so today I made a new plant shelf and moved the solar lights.

I’m really enjoying sitting out here in the evenings when the weather feels this good. I hooked up the backyard lights because cooler nights mean fire pit time.

I also cannot wait to start having dinners outside. I think being outside is my happy place.

Tuesday Thrift Finds + Night Visitors

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn Home lifeLeave a comment

Today I wanted to run to the thrift store right by our house to find a big water bowl and food tray for the raccoons. They had a big table with kitchen stuff on sale. I got these for 20 cents.

While I was looking around I saw a lady pick up this big glass fish. I walked over to her because I really wanted to see if that’s what it was. It was hand blown and amazing. She said that she didn’t have a place for it so she put it down. When I saw that it was only $5 I snatched it up.

It reminds me of my sea glass fish.

I also found this recipe notebook. I would much rather use written recipes instead of trying to get through those I find online with all the ads.

I can’t wait to start using this. For $1.50 you can’t beat it.

Jackson found this cute little Halloween cat. I googled it and it’s a vintage Avon cat. We just replaced the batteries and it started lighting up and changing colors. It was $2.

I am sitting on the patio writing this because I’m waiting for the raccoons to show up. Skunky already made his appearance and at all of the hotdogs off the tray. I put another one out and he ate half of it.

This is a picture of one of them from last night. I gave him some fish sticks and he loved them.

Here’s our sweet little skunk having dinner tonight.

I’m hoping the raccoons come before I have to head in to bed.

And now I’m wondering if skunks have bad eyesight because as I was sitting here he walked right by me and started eating the cat food. I guess he just knows who keeps him fed.

I just thought I heard the raccoons, but it was this beauty.

It’s animal kingdom around here and I’m loving it.

Easy (Aldi) Meal + Paint

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn Easy mealsLeave a comment

Lately, for some reason, I have been very uninspired to cook actual meals. Donny was off on Thursday this past week so we decided to make the drive to Lone Star to have dinner at Arnold’s. The prices are so good and everyone there is very friendly.

It’s not much to look at but the food is worth the 40 minute drive. The kids didn’t even complain because it really is a gorgeous drive.

Our neighbor across the street works for a restaurant food supply company so he brought us over some pizza dough and crumble pizza sausage. So Friday’s dinner was sausage pizza. Today I knew I had to make a grocery run which I dread doing on a Saturday. I do 95% of my grocery shopping at Aldi because it’s small, there aren’t many selections, I know what I like and I can get in and out fast. One of our favorite quick dinner meals is their asian chicken meals.

From start to finish this meal takes 20 minutes. I get both kinds because I serve the sauce on the side and it’s good to have a choice.

I serve it with rice and stir fried broccoli. It’s so good and everyone in the family likes it. There’s also almost always enough for Donny to take it for lunch the next day.

After I mowed on Friday I finally got around to doing something I had wanted to do all summer. Our front stoop (for lack of a better word) was looking so bad. The concrete, no matter how many times we power washed it, would not come clean. The pavers around it were faded and not looking their best.

This is an older picture but it’s the only one I could find. Anyway I painted the pavers the same color as the door (aqua fresco). I painted the concrete square the same color as the trim. I don’t have the color because it’s from two gallons of oops paint I got on sale. It looks so much better and just crisper.

I still need to put the plants back where they go.

We still have our little visitor and last night the raccoon came to visit and I fed it a hot dog.

The little skunk is so sweet. It doesn’t bother anyone. The cats just ignore it. Just eats and leaves. I wish I could get a picture of the raccoon.

Oh, and if you do happen to be in Aldi, these are the best cookies. I bought them on a whim and they did not disappoint.

And I did not eat three of them before dinner

Halloween Finds + Varmits

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn Home lifeLeave a comment

I love Halloween and Christmas. My only issue is that I don’t like moving things into the shed to make room for the decorations. I feel as though I lose my house for those months. This year I’ve decided to only put out the things that I really love and donate the rest. I did buy two things to add, but I really loved them both.

I love Bethany Lowe halloween decor. It’s just so very expensive. I was online and saw this cat they had at Walmart. I checked online to see if any stores around us had it. Nope, not a one. I even went to Walmart because a lot of the time the inventory they say they have is wrong. I found the hole where it used to be, but no cat. I decided to go ahead and order it online. When I went to checkout I noticed that the shipping was almost as much as the item. No thanks.

Jack and I had to make a Walmart run so I checked again online before we left and the website said they had it in stock. When we got there there was still just the empty space. While we were shopping I ordered it as a pickup. By the time we got home I had an email saying that it wasn’t available for pickup but they could ship it to me for free. Why yes, that would be great. Two days later I got my cat in the mail.

I absolutely love it and am tempted to just keep it out year round. My decor is already kind of weird so it would fit right in.

Jackson and I also went thrifting and I found this guy for a dollar and had to have him.

I’m not sure what he’s made out of, maybe a gourd, maybe paper mache. I’m just not sure, but he’s so ugly he’s cute.

We have been getting night visitors for a few weeks. This cutie is not bothered by me in the least now.

I’m glad it’s not scared because I would hate to get sprayed.

When Donny and I were away I got these texts from the kids.

The possum is quite shy but likes to come eat the cat food. I see him just about every night. I’ve only seen the raccoon once. I’m not sure what we’re going to do about them, but they don’t bother the cats or the chickens, so that’s a plus.

Birthday Getaway

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn VacationLeave a comment

I had no idea what to get Donny for his birthday. I mentioned this to my friend Lisa and she suggested to give him an experience. I thought that was a fabulous idea so I started searching on airbnb for a place in Jefferson, one of our favorite towns. Everything there was way over my budget for a one night stay, but for some reason a place in Lone Star caught my eye. The price was perfect, it had great reviews and it was right on Lone Star lake so Donny could fish. Since everything for us always seems to work out best when it spur of the moment, I ended up booking it two days before we were leaving. Donny’s “weekend” is Thursday and Friday so we decided to leave after Jack got home from school on Friday. It would only give us one day there but we would make the most of it.

Friday we packed our bags and headed about 35 minutes away to Lone Star.

One thing we love about living in East Texas is that there are so many small towns around us to explore. When we drove up to Scenic View it was picture perfect.

The small motel was built in the mid 1940’s. The nicest couple bought it in 1998 and have taken such good care of it. There are 8 motel rooms, a cabin and a full hook up small RV park. If you have seen the show Ozark it reminds me of the Blue Cat.

We dropped our things off in our room and decided to go find a bite to eat. I had read good reviews about a place called Arnold’s family restaurant. It did not disappoint. Our server was attentive, we met some locals having coffee and had one of the best chicken fried steaks I’d ever eaten.

I ate every bite. After we got back to the motel and were feeling almost too full to move we decided to try to work some of it off by playing corn hole.

I lost both games, but it was so much fun. Even though the temperatures weren’t in the 100’s we still got sweaty and decided to just sit, have a beverage and enjoy the lake view.

Donny wanted to wait until sunset before he got his fishing pole out. We decided to move onto the deck because there were fans and it was starting to get a little hot out.

There were grills guests could use and so many places to enjoy a meal outdoors.

The sun was setting so we headed out to the pier to do some fishing.

It was so beautiful out on the water.

We only had one snafu. The worms the container of worms that Donny bought before we left were, well, wormless. There was nothing but dirt. He ended up trying to use pork rinds and kettle corn with no luck. He said he didn’t care because he was having so much fun just relaxing.

We started seeing some lightning so we gathered up our things and went up to the top deck to watch the weather roll in. Nothing but a few raindrops and I ended up falling asleep in the lounge chair.

I loved the way the owner had everything lit up. It looked so pretty at night.

Next thing we knew it was morning and we had to pack up our stuff and head back home. We absolutely love this little motel. The rooms were older but pristine. The beds were so comfortable and Donny loved the pillows. The little kitchenette was perfect for what we needed.

And you get a real, honest to goodness, key.

The cabin is so cute.

Donny had a relaxing fun filled birthday and we will definitely be back to this little gem.

Disappointed

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn JournalLeave a comment

This morning while I was waiting for the coffee to brew I was playing around on Google Earth. I decided to look up our house that we sold in Baton Rouge. I shouldn’t have. We worked so hard on that house after it flooded. We had the yard looking so good. I worked my butt off on it putting in new beds and getting the grass up and going again. To see it not being taken care of breaks my heart. Here is what I saw.

I loved this house so much. I can’t see the inside, but I hope that it’s more taken care of than the outside. I pulled up our photos from right before we moved and it made me even sadder.

I really miss Baton Rouge.

On a happier note. Look what Donny and I saw on the trail this morning.

The little thing was just chillin’ out.

Do Your Part

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn SummerLeave a comment

Yesterday morning after I mowed I decided, since I was already sweaty, I would go for a hike down the trail adjacent to our neighborhood. It was such a gorgeous day and it was made even better because about 98% of this trail is shaded by a canopy of trees.

A creek runs through this area. It’s where we let Ollie, our rescue possum, loose.

You don’t have to stay on the asphalt trail because there are some primitive trail shoot offs.

One thing I noticed yesterday was that there was so much trash on the trail. I can’t understand how people can just throw there trash into the woods or just leave it right on the trail. So this morning I decided to take a trash bag and go collect it.

Most of it I could get to easily, but there was a lot deeper in. This is what I was running into.

Very sharp thorny trees. There were also these thin vines that had so many thorns that would wrap around my ankles and legs. I crawled through as many as I could to get what I could see.

There is a small plastic cup in the pic above that I just couldn’t get because of the thorn vines. I didn’t want to get any more cut up.

I ended up collecting an entire bag before I hit the turnaround. So I guess, all in all, it was a good workout carrying it back to the trail head.

Some of the weird things I found were cut off legs from camo pants, a sock, a clothes hanger and a shirt. These were not all in the same place. I also found a half empty gallon of orange drink that was very old. I did not open it to dump it out.

There were also so many Beauty Berry plants. I just love them.

The next time I go back to pick up litter I’ll be sporting jeans, boots and a long sleeve shirt.

P.S.

I got my hair cut last Saturday so I wanted to document it to remember when I had it done. We only cut an inch off, but put more layers in it. I just let it dry naturally in this pic trying to embrace my waves.